CGM

[Rob87]

Nhs funding

 

[Rob87]

Nhs funding

I’ve recently started self funding the dexcom G6, I’ve been a type 1 for 26 years and this is quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever had. Control is better than ever, I’ve got alarms set for rise and fall rates. If I go low my partner gets an alert too. It’s all just very well thought out. The only issue is my consultant has told me the nhs won’t fund it and i won’t be able to afford it for longer than a year. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get one through the nhs?

 

[EllieM]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get one through the nhs?

Downgrade to a libre and add a miaomiao transmitter so that you can calibrate it with blood tests and use a transmitter?
That's if the libre works for you at all. (It doesn't for me since I developed an allergy).

Not everyone qualifies for the libre though, but it would probably be worth a try.

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @Rob87 Unfortunately the NHS won't fund the G6.

I'm also self funding the G6 and a very satisfied customer, but despite the cost feel I need to do so to ensure my control is the best it can be, I stopped asking my nurse over a year ago about funding. I understand some users have extended the life of the sensor for a further session with successful results, have a look round the Internet for restarting the sensor.

 

[Deleted Account]

I have been self funding the Libre.
Whilst it does not have the alerts, I gain a lot from wearing it 2 weeks out of 6. I try to time the 2 weeks around times when I may find it harder to finger prick test such as when I am on a business trip.
My approach has been to avoid the highs and lows which would otherwise lead to alerts.
I do this by analysing the graphs from the Libre and learning what food causes spikes and need earlier pre-boluses, which exercise causes lows and need to reduce my pump basal (if I wasn't pumping, I would increase my carbs before exercise), which meetings cause highs and need a bolus, ...
There is a lot of data you can get from your CGM. I feel just using it instead of finger pricking or even relying on the alerts is not converting the data into useful information.

The advantages of this approach are - less cost so I can fund it for longer, less reliance on it in case it goes wrong, time for my body to recover from any reaction to the glue and much greater knowledge of my diabetes.

 

[Rob87]

Hi @Rob87 Unfortunately the NHS won't fund the G6.

I'm also self funding the G6 and a very satisfied customer, but despite the cost feel I need to do so to ensure my control is the best it can be, I stopped asking my nurse over a year ago about funding. I understand some users have extended the life of the sensor for a further session with successful results, have a look round the Internet for restarting the sensor.[/

 

[Rob87]

I agree that it’s worth the money, having the money is another issue entirely. However I’ve spoken to dexcom who have assured me that it is possible to gain nhs funding for the G6 and many people do have funding for it. I have also met 2 people in the short time I’ve been self funding who are funded by the nhs. It’s just a case of figuring out how to achieve this.

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @Rob87 In that case you would need to speak to your DSN to see what the guidelines are, as each CCG will have different criteria in regards to funding, so meeting criteria would be along the lines of having no hypo awareness, affecting quality of life etc. My CCG does not fund libre or any type of CGM, it's frustrating as I have the Medtronic 640g which works with the enlite sensor and in an ideal world i'd be using this, but the G6 was the next best thing due to cost, good luck in finding the answer to this.